34 AUSTRALIAN BOTANY. 



pedicels are surrounded at the base by bracts, 1 which are 

 termed collectively an involucre. The main stalk to which 

 all the pedicels are joined is the peduncle. The peduncle 

 is also called the primary axis. 



Divisions of the peduncle are also termed axes ; a single 

 division is an axis. Bracts are leaf-like developments 

 attached to the flower-stalk, or connected with the flower. 

 The green floral leaves of many flowers are bracts. The 

 manner in which flowers are borne on the stalk is dis- 

 tinguished by a variety of names. The principal ones are 

 subjoined, with examples. Other divisions of less import- 

 ance exist. 



Capit ukim or head (of which there are many modifica- 

 tions). — A number of florets without flower-stalks, that is, 

 sessile, packed on the top of the peduncle or main stalk, 

 and expanding from the outside towards the centre. 

 Examples : — Marigold, treasure-flower, daisy, dandelion, and 

 Cape-weed (all of which are composites or compound 

 flowers). Genera belonging to various other orders also 

 have capitules or flower-heads. 



Spike. — An unbranched peduncle bearing a number of 

 flowers, either without flower-stalks, or having them so 

 short as to be scarcely perceptible. The flowers may be 

 spirally {twisted like a screw) or otherwise arranged. 

 Examples : — Lavender, vervain, plantain or rib-grass, native 

 grass -tree, native foxtail, Cape -wattle, Veronica, and 

 Calistemon. The wheat is a compound spike, very dense. 



Spikelet. — A small spike. Examples : — Rye, and the oat 

 which is a panicle of spikelets. 



Panicle. — A collection of spikelets on long peduncles. 



1 Bract, a hood. 



